Hello Everyone!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Hello Everyone!
Hello Everyone!
My name is Carl Hayes, and as of Saturday, October 25th 2003 I am the proud owner of a 2003 Acura TL-S A-Spec. I purchased the vehicle at Erin Mills Acura in Missisaugua. I have been a regular visitor/reader of the material posted on this website for the past several months. Infact, one of the reasons for making this purchase was this message board. Finding such a message board filled with people sharing simular interests, a passion for cars (specifically Honda/Acura), displaying a high level of inteligence with respect to both the internal/external components of their vehicles made me feel even better about the purchase. I would like to take this opportunity in advance to thank you all for the past/present/and future help this board has and will give me down the road. Your advice and expertise is invaluable! : )
Now, let me put some of you to the test. My car has exactly 100 kilometers (60 Miles) on its odometer. I will not be taking the car above 60 Km (35 MPH) for the next 900 miles, so to allow for a proper break in of the internal engine componants. I would like to as the following questions:
1.) Has anyone ever used Z-MAX? (www.z*ax.com) I am wondering if anyone has had experience with this product as I am thinking about adding it to my car within the next week. Your opinions and advice would be greatly helpful to me.
2.) My dealer conned me into (sold me) an undercoat/rust proof for the car. I have heard both positive and negitive things when it comes to rustproofing. Here in Canada, weather conditions are more extreme and I thought it would be a good idea.... Please tell me I was right (or wrong) and explain, what, if any negitive effects this has.
3.) I am thinking about doing some modifications to the car. Specifically I am looking at Comptech Headers, Comtech CAI, Comptech Sways, Comptech Break Lines and the Comptech Transmission cooler. Being that I have read more then my fair share of transmission horror stories, I was wondering if the increase in horsepower these mods will provide will hamper the internal components of my engine in any way or if it would accelerate the destruction of the transmission. Your advice is greatly needed.
4.) Does anyone know of an Acura Dealership who sells/installs Comptech parts in Ontario?
5.) Can any member on this board provide me with a good mechanic who I can trust to work on my car?
Well... I think that is all for now! Phew! Anyway, thank you in advance for your help. I will be an active member of this community and look forward to asking for/giving help from/to other members!
Thank you,
CH
My name is Carl Hayes, and as of Saturday, October 25th 2003 I am the proud owner of a 2003 Acura TL-S A-Spec. I purchased the vehicle at Erin Mills Acura in Missisaugua. I have been a regular visitor/reader of the material posted on this website for the past several months. Infact, one of the reasons for making this purchase was this message board. Finding such a message board filled with people sharing simular interests, a passion for cars (specifically Honda/Acura), displaying a high level of inteligence with respect to both the internal/external components of their vehicles made me feel even better about the purchase. I would like to take this opportunity in advance to thank you all for the past/present/and future help this board has and will give me down the road. Your advice and expertise is invaluable! : )
Now, let me put some of you to the test. My car has exactly 100 kilometers (60 Miles) on its odometer. I will not be taking the car above 60 Km (35 MPH) for the next 900 miles, so to allow for a proper break in of the internal engine componants. I would like to as the following questions:
1.) Has anyone ever used Z-MAX? (www.z*ax.com) I am wondering if anyone has had experience with this product as I am thinking about adding it to my car within the next week. Your opinions and advice would be greatly helpful to me.
2.) My dealer conned me into (sold me) an undercoat/rust proof for the car. I have heard both positive and negitive things when it comes to rustproofing. Here in Canada, weather conditions are more extreme and I thought it would be a good idea.... Please tell me I was right (or wrong) and explain, what, if any negitive effects this has.
3.) I am thinking about doing some modifications to the car. Specifically I am looking at Comptech Headers, Comtech CAI, Comptech Sways, Comptech Break Lines and the Comptech Transmission cooler. Being that I have read more then my fair share of transmission horror stories, I was wondering if the increase in horsepower these mods will provide will hamper the internal components of my engine in any way or if it would accelerate the destruction of the transmission. Your advice is greatly needed.
4.) Does anyone know of an Acura Dealership who sells/installs Comptech parts in Ontario?
5.) Can any member on this board provide me with a good mechanic who I can trust to work on my car?
Well... I think that is all for now! Phew! Anyway, thank you in advance for your help. I will be an active member of this community and look forward to asking for/giving help from/to other members!
Thank you,
CH
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Thank you. : )
While I was concerned about the transmission problems that this car is known to have, my purchase decision was based on two main factors:
1.) Regardless of the trans, Honda/Acura still make a good product for the right price with all the right features.
2.) If something does go wrong with the car (knock on wood) I feel a sense of security knowing that I can post my problem on this forum and have intelectual imput on the situation.
My first car was a 1992 EXR Honda Accord. After 2 accidents (not caused by me), and beating the sh#t out of the car (that was me
she still felt solid at 130,000 Miles. This experience made me a believer in Honda/Acura.
I am sure this will be a good car, so long as she is maintained and serviced properly.
While I was concerned about the transmission problems that this car is known to have, my purchase decision was based on two main factors:
1.) Regardless of the trans, Honda/Acura still make a good product for the right price with all the right features.
2.) If something does go wrong with the car (knock on wood) I feel a sense of security knowing that I can post my problem on this forum and have intelectual imput on the situation.
My first car was a 1992 EXR Honda Accord. After 2 accidents (not caused by me), and beating the sh#t out of the car (that was me
she still felt solid at 130,000 Miles. This experience made me a believer in Honda/Acura. I am sure this will be a good car, so long as she is maintained and serviced properly.
Flyin' and Drivin'
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 9
From: Atlanta, GA
Hey! Welcome to the board. I'm not sure how to answer most of your questions, because I'm from Atlanta. But I will tell you that I have the AEM CAI on my TL, and I love it. I do notice some gains, but its the noise that I love the most. I havn't had my car for some 48 odd days because I was in a car accident, and this stupid body shop cant get my car fixed in a timely fashion, but that car has been bullet proof for me (knock on fake acura wood). I love my TL, and I'm glad that you chose to buy one! Again, Welcome!!!
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
If you go to comptech's website, theres a link to find the authorized dealers of comptech parts...
http://www.comptechusa.com/distributors.html
and there is a list for canadian dealers near the bottom.
And about headers, I just put in CT headers and I have to say, so far I have mixed feelings about it. I mean, I do feel a little bit more power, but I only put it in a day ago, so the ECU still has to adjust (Im told it will show a more gains in a couple days of driving).
http://www.comptechusa.com/distributors.html
and there is a list for canadian dealers near the bottom.
And about headers, I just put in CT headers and I have to say, so far I have mixed feelings about it. I mean, I do feel a little bit more power, but I only put it in a day ago, so the ECU still has to adjust (Im told it will show a more gains in a couple days of driving).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: NNE of 716
Hey Carl,
Welcome Aboard.
Sorry I did not see your posting earlier as I was having problems with my PC. Anyways, this is a great website and lots to learn here because of an abundance of experienced and good people who wouldn't hesitate to share their expertise.
By now, you probably have more than a few hundred Ks since the car is a blast to drive. Just take it easy for the next few hundred Ks and note down some deficiencies you recognize along the way. Some say that around the 2,000 km mark should be OK.
IMO, the VTEC V6 doesn't really get properly broken in until about the 7,000 to 8,000 Km mark. Both me and my cousin who had an 02 MDX had the same observations. The fuel mileage gets better and the engine noticeably feels more loose as well.
1.) Forget Z-Max or any other additives. Total waste of money IMHO. Spend the $50.00 getting a better winter mat. The car is too new to benefit from any additives or those so called infomercial snake oil solutions. Research them first from the net. They may have a lawsuit against them for false advertising or something. The only insurance you need is either a frequent oil change or switching to Full Synthetic oil. The popular ones seems to be Mobil 1.
2.) I had too many bad experiences with car salesmen to say that if he made money off you from selling you the car, the sales manager needs to make more money selling you other stuff, and most of them you don't really need. First the car comes off the lot already with corrosion protection from the factory and Honda (or any other company) also warranties the car against rust for the next few years. Any aftermarket application may invalidate the factory rust warranty. So in short you didn't really need that.
Second, the car also comes with a guarantee that the paint from the factory will be free from defects. This also allows you to use any paint protection you choose and any wax/ polish brand you want to try without affecting this warranty. The paint protection is a gimmick from dealers that overrides this warranty and does not allow you to use any other wax or polish except the ones they recommend (some of them wouldn't even let you wax). For sure, with a nice car like your A-Spec, you would end up waxing and polishing in the summer to keep the ride nice and shiny so this protection was pointless.
3 and 4.) Aftermarket components may increase the output of your engine but it may also affect your warranty, or void it altogether. Check with your dealer with this. I heard a dealer in the west end (not sure if Woodbine or Acura 2000) actually sells, installs and warranties Comptech parts. Break the car in first. If you drive the car hard, a transmission cooler would be a good option down the road.
5.) Stick with a reputable dealer for the first few years in order to keep your service records in good order (gives you a better resale value). Good ones are hard to find and if you do, they will make your ownership of an Acura literally stress-free. Look for a good mechanic when your warranty is up.
There are a few brothers here in the GTA so we are never short of good advice. Enjoy the car. You made a great choice.
Welcome Aboard.
Sorry I did not see your posting earlier as I was having problems with my PC. Anyways, this is a great website and lots to learn here because of an abundance of experienced and good people who wouldn't hesitate to share their expertise.
By now, you probably have more than a few hundred Ks since the car is a blast to drive. Just take it easy for the next few hundred Ks and note down some deficiencies you recognize along the way. Some say that around the 2,000 km mark should be OK.
IMO, the VTEC V6 doesn't really get properly broken in until about the 7,000 to 8,000 Km mark. Both me and my cousin who had an 02 MDX had the same observations. The fuel mileage gets better and the engine noticeably feels more loose as well.
1.) Forget Z-Max or any other additives. Total waste of money IMHO. Spend the $50.00 getting a better winter mat. The car is too new to benefit from any additives or those so called infomercial snake oil solutions. Research them first from the net. They may have a lawsuit against them for false advertising or something. The only insurance you need is either a frequent oil change or switching to Full Synthetic oil. The popular ones seems to be Mobil 1.
2.) I had too many bad experiences with car salesmen to say that if he made money off you from selling you the car, the sales manager needs to make more money selling you other stuff, and most of them you don't really need. First the car comes off the lot already with corrosion protection from the factory and Honda (or any other company) also warranties the car against rust for the next few years. Any aftermarket application may invalidate the factory rust warranty. So in short you didn't really need that.
Second, the car also comes with a guarantee that the paint from the factory will be free from defects. This also allows you to use any paint protection you choose and any wax/ polish brand you want to try without affecting this warranty. The paint protection is a gimmick from dealers that overrides this warranty and does not allow you to use any other wax or polish except the ones they recommend (some of them wouldn't even let you wax). For sure, with a nice car like your A-Spec, you would end up waxing and polishing in the summer to keep the ride nice and shiny so this protection was pointless.
3 and 4.) Aftermarket components may increase the output of your engine but it may also affect your warranty, or void it altogether. Check with your dealer with this. I heard a dealer in the west end (not sure if Woodbine or Acura 2000) actually sells, installs and warranties Comptech parts. Break the car in first. If you drive the car hard, a transmission cooler would be a good option down the road.
5.) Stick with a reputable dealer for the first few years in order to keep your service records in good order (gives you a better resale value). Good ones are hard to find and if you do, they will make your ownership of an Acura literally stress-free. Look for a good mechanic when your warranty is up.
There are a few brothers here in the GTA so we are never short of good advice. Enjoy the car. You made a great choice.